Backup file size reduced in size - why?

[sarahnice]

Hi all,

I have a database on SQL Server 2000 which is backed up every night. The backup file size is approximately 92MB and growing by about 150 KB per day.

Last week i changed three of the tables in the database. These tables each contained a field which allowed varchar entries of 40 characters. I changed it to allow varchar entries of 50 characters. Since that change, the size of the database backup file has reduced by about 20 MB.

I'm not complaining but i would like to know if there is any explanation for this or if i have made some major error somewhere.

Thanks

 

[tlbroadbent]

It does seem unusual to have the backup size shrink when a column size has been increased. It is possible if the ANSI padding options changed on the column when you altered the size. If the column was space filled previously but isn't since the change, that could explain the difference yo see. If you want to get the best answer for your question read faq183-874 and faq183-3179.
Terry L. Broadbent - DBA
SQL Server Page:

http://tlbroadbent.home.attbi.com/sql/sql_articles.htm